TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13

REPORT: ADMIN ‘INFIGHTING,’ ‘INDECISION’ OVER BORDER A “brutal” Axios report on Monday chronicled the many missteps that have contributed to the intensifying border crisis. The article opened with a recent anecdote about the president castigating administration officials over the border, an incident that was “emblematic of the Biden administration's struggle with the border crisis during the past three years — infighting, blame-shifting and indecision.” READ

KAMALA HARRIS: ‘I’M READY’ TO BE PRESIDENT Asked whether she could take over for President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris told the Wall Street Journal: “I am ready to serve. There’s no question about that.” Democratic operative Jennifer Palmieri told the Journal: “There was always going to be a lot of scrutiny and pressure on” Harris, and “I think that the special counsel’s report has sort of accelerated that moment.” READ

LLOYD AUSTIN RECEIVING CRITICAL CARE Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was again hospitalized over the weekend and is currently receiving critical care at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center just outside of Washington D.C. According to a statement from two doctors, Austin’s cancer prognosis “remains excellent” and he is expected to make a full recovery. READ

CREDIT CARD COMPANIES TO TRACK GUN BUYING IN CALIFORNIA Several major credit card companies have decided to move forward with a plan to track purchases made at gun retailers in California. American Express, Visa, and Mastercard will implement a new merchant code allowing banks to track "suspicious" purchases. READ

KANSAS MAY ERECT STATUE OF HOLY PRIEST AT CAPITOL A Kansas state senator recently introduced legislation to place a statue of the Servant of God and heroic military chaplain Fr. Emil Kapaun in the state capitol building. Kansas Catholic Conference Executive Director Chuck Weber told CatholicVote that the idea “stemmed from a desire to provide a much needed positive role model for Kansans and others to reflect upon.” READ

FARMING EXPERT SAYS AMERICANS WILL PAY MORE FOR MEAT As production of cattle has plummeted to its lowest levels in decades, a rancher is warning that Americans are "going to pay the price" for the beef supply hitting a crisis point. "We're not investing in America's beef and cattle farmers, and Biden policies are hurting America's cattlemen,” said John Boyd, Jr. – president of the National Black Farmers Association. READ

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF BORDER COMMUNITY FIREFIGHTERS Pulling “three or four bodies out” of the Rio Grande in one day is not unheard of for Harish Garcia or his colleagues at the Eagle Pass fire station near the border of Mexico, he says. Firefighter and paramedic Luis Barrientos added: “Unfortunately, we do sometimes catch them in cardiac arrest.… It’s almost a norm … to be going out there and dealing with the border crisis, with the patients there.” READ

LOOPcast INTERVIEW Sir George Glass worked closely with President Trump for four years as ambassador to Portugal. He gives Tom a behind-the-scenes look at The Don’s foreign policy… and the Fatima miracle that changed Glass forever! If you’re wondering if a Catholic can vote for Trump, don’t miss this exclusive interview. WATCH

FRANCIS AND PRESIDENT MILEI GREET EACH OTHER WARMLY Pope Francis and President Javier Milei of Argentina met on Sunday ahead of the canonization of Mama Antula, the first female saint of the South American country. “Did you get a haircut?” Francis asked Milei as he greeted him in St. Peter’s Basilica. “I tidied it up. Can I give you a hug?” said the president. Francis responded: “Yes, son, yes.” READ

RECONCILIATION CatholicVote reports on the warm relations that now exist between the pope and the president of Argentina. Their friendly exchanges over the weekend represented a reconciliation after Milei called Francis an “imbecile” because of the pontiff’s economic opinions. READ

CV RE-RUNS In case you missed it, CatholicVote sat down with Fat Tuesday last year for a ground-breaking interview. We asked about his roots, why people celebrate him, and his current status in Catholic culture. Readers called it “life-changing” and “phat.” READ

CATHOLIC 101 Before Ash Wednesday comes, it’s Shrove Tuesday (aka Fat Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, or Mardi Gras)! Before the Great Fast, we feast. So, be a good Catholic and plan to get your ashes, observe the fast, and nail down your Lenten penances. But first, here are some tips for delicious fun on Fat Tuesday! READ

SAINT OF THE DAY St. Catherine de Ricci was born in the 1500s to a noble Florentine family. She entered the Dominican order without her father’s consent and became renowned for her mystical prayer, holy wisdom, and patience in physical suffering. She was visited by many holy figures and even once bilocated to appear to St. Philip Neri. READ

DAILY PSALM “Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.” (Psalm 94:12) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings READ

HEART OF THE FAST Looking ahead to Ash Wednesday, two Norbertine priests talk about fasting as “a generous living of our faith in ways that go outside the norm.” Watch this insightful conversation from St. Michael’s Abbey – and get motivated to “go deep” tomorrow! WATCH